MassMutual Financial Group and the city of Birmingham are offering eligible families free, 10-year $50,000 term life insurance policies to pay for educational expenses for dependent children.

Under MassMutual's philanthropic LifeBridges Free Life Insurance Program, if an insured parent or legal guardian passes away during the 10-year term of the policy, MassMutual will put $50,000 in trust toward the dependent children's educational expenses.

"This is an opportunity to make a valuable program available to our eligible Birmingham families at no extra cost," Mayor Larry Langford said. "This is an absolutely free program. MassMutual pays all the premiums."

The mayor's office is hosting a LifeBridge application meeting at Boutwell Auditorium from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. June 21. Appointments are required and can be set through the mayor's office at (205) 254-2823.

Children will have until the age of 35 to use the policy's benefit. To be eligible for MassMutual's LifeBridge Program, applicants must meet all program criteria and be between the ages of 19-42, a permanent, legal U.S. resident, the parent or legal guardian of one or more dependent children under the age of 18, currently employed and have a family income of between $10,000 and $40,000 on their most recent income tax return. They also must be in good health, as determined by MassMutual's guidelines.

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